Bulleproof vests won't solve crime problem: Warner

Chaguanas MP Jack Warner is not impressed with a government plan to clad prisoners with bulletproof vests to prevent incidents such as the one in which a handcuffed prisoner was shot and killed while being escorted to the Rio Claro police station by two police officers.

The killing took place in front of several witnesses as the officer scampered into the neighbouring courthouse for safety. So far police have not made any arrests.

Read the story: Police run for cover as gunmen kill handcuffed prisoner

On Friday, acting Police Commissioner James Philbert talked about the possibly of giving additional security to prisoners. He also promised a new security plan to secure courthouses.

"We have considered that these prisoners will wear bullet proof vests depending on the nature of the threats", Philbert said.

In a news release Saturday Warner said while a specialized vest may stop a bullet it does not address the root problem "which is the reason why someone out there is in possession of a gun and ammunition, and...can come close enough to fire upon someone in police custody".

He asked, "How is it that the police cannot catch them before they escape?"

Warner stated that the breakdown of law and order stems from the inability of the police to efficiently and effectively do their jobs. "It is the cumulative result of the neglect of the protective service - particularly over the last 8 years," he said.

"Not only are police officers unable to properly do their jobs owing to the lack of basic resources - and modern resources - but the criminals know this and capitalize on this weakness," the MP said.

He suggested that with the current trend with "three escapes/attempted escapes in Chaguanas alone in the last month or two, this proposal may end up putting more bullet proof vests in the hands of criminals. A criminal who escapes is now in possession of a bullet proof vest to use in future crimes," he said.

Warner also commented on the commissioner's observation that the officers were at risk in the Rio Claro incident because they lacked weapons. He wondered if the police chief was not aware of the use of non-lethal weapons by law enforcement services in developed countries.

"Non-lethal weapons are an alternative to lethal weapons when it is necessary to use a weapon but not to kill or seriously injure the suspect, and would reduce the number of fatal police shootings," he said.

He noted that over the past 10 years numerous proposals for non-lethal weapons have been put to the Police Service and the Ministry of National Security, but the government has not introduced non-lethal weapons for police officers.